2008 Volvo S60 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,411 MOT tests on the 2008 Volvo S60 are in this dataset, and 75.9% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (22.5% fail rate), the 2008 S60 comes out 1.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.8%) and brakes (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 187 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.5% in the 30-60k band and 27.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.0-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (25.1% vs 22.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 356 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 305 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.8% | 164 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.0% | 144 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 82 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 73 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 187 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 154 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 119 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 111 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 77 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 66 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.5% | 735 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.0% | 627 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 570 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 337 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 190 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.5% | 181 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 144 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 457 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 627 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 541 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 619 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,559 | 25.1% |
| Petrol | 852 | 22.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 577 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 541 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 470 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 447 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 376 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 S60
On a 2008 S60, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (6.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Volvo S60s pass their MOT?
75.9% of the 2,411 2008 Volvo S60 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volvo S60?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.7%).
Does the 2008 S60 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 30-60k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,411 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.